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Harold I. Saavedra

Title
Faculty RankAssociate Professor
InstitutionPonce Health Sciences University
DepartmentBasic Sciences
AddressP.O. Box 7039
Ponce PR 00751
Phone7878402575 Ext. 2205
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    Collapse Biography 
    Collapse awards and honors
    2007Genetics and Molecular Biology Program Outstanding Junior Faculty Service Award
    2007Georgia Cancer Coalition Distinguished Scholar, The University of Georgia Cancer Center
    2011The Jean Sindab Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation Award
    2016Puerto Rico Clinical and Translational Research Consortium (PRCTRC) Grant, UPR Medical Sciences Campus
    2017American Association for Cancer Research Minority Serving Institution Research Scholar, American Association for Cancer Research
    2017Puerto Rico Science Trust Small Grants Program

    Collapse Overview 
    Collapse overview
    The Saavedra laboratory at Ponce Health Sciences University studies how alterations in the cell cycle contribute to breast cancer. In particular, Dr. Saavedra’s research involves addressing how centrosome amplification –an abnormal phenotype that contributes to abnormal mitosis, aneuploidy and genomic instability- initiates and sustains mammary tumors.

    Another major area of research in the Saavedra laboratory is to address how oncogenes and transcription factors that normally control the cell cycle contribute to chromosome instability and mitotic dysfunction as intermediates to epithelial to mesenchymal transition, invasion, tumor growth and metastasis. To that end, we use three-dimentional cell models, orthotopic, transgenic and knockout models to address the role of oncogenes and transcription factors in tumor growth and metastasis.

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    Collapse Research 
    Collapse research activities and funding
    K01CA104079     (SAAVEDRA, HAROLD I)May 1, 2004 - Apr 30, 2010
    NIH
    E2F3: a suppressor of centrosome amplification
    Role: Principal Investigator
    R01CA151521     (SAAVEDRA, HAROLD I)Jul 1, 2010 - Apr 30, 2016
    NIH
    Nek2 and NPM in centrosome amplification
    Role: Principal Investigator
    U54CA163071     (MATTA, JAIME L)Sep 25, 2012 - Aug 31, 2028
    NIH
    (1/2) Ponce Health Sciences University-Moffitt Cancer Center Partnership #
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    R01CA266046     (SAAVEDRA, HAROLD I)Sep 15, 2022 - Aug 31, 2027
    NIH
    Targeting centrosome-mitotic kinases as a novel therapeutic approach against breast cancers in Hispanic/Latinas.
    Role: Principal Investigator

    Collapse Bibliographic 
    Collapse selected publications
    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.
    Newest   |   Oldest   |   Most Cited   |   Most Discussed   |   Timeline   |   Field Summary   |   Plain Text
    PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
    1. Aquino-Acevedo AN, Orengo-Orengo JA, Cruz-Robles ME, Saavedra HI. Mitotic kinases are emerging therapeutic targets against metastatic breast cancer. Cell Div. 2024 Jun 17; 19(1):21. PMID: 38886738.
      Citations:    
    2. Jusino S, Rivera-Rivera Y, Chard?n-Col?n C, Rodr?guez-Rodr?guez PC, Rom?n-Gonz?lez J, Juli?-Hern?ndez VS, Isidro A, Mo Q, Saavedra HI. Sustained Shugoshin 1 downregulation reduces tumor growth and metastasis in a mouse xenograft tumor model of triple-negative breast cancer. Cell Div. 2023 Apr 30; 18(1):6. PMID: 37122033.
      Citations:    
    3. Rivera-Rivera Y, Vargas G, Jaiswal N, N??ez-Marrero A, Li J, Chen DT, Eschrich S, Rosa M, Johnson JO, Dutil J, Chellappan SP, Saavedra HI. Ethnic and racial-specific differences in levels of centrosome-associated mitotic kinases, proliferative and epithelial-to-mesenchymal markers in breast cancers. Cell Div. 2022 Dec 09; 17(1):6. PMID: 36494865.
      Citations:    
    4. Jusino S, Rivera-Rivera Y, Chard?n-Col?n C, Ruiz-Justiz AJ, V?lez-Vel?zquez J, Isidro A, Cruz-Robles ME, Bonilla-Claudio M, Armaiz-Pena GN, Saavedra HI. E2F3 drives the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, cell invasion, and metastasis in breast cancer. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2021 10; 246(19):2057-2071. PMID: 34365840.
      Citations: 10     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    5. Rivera-Rivera Y, Marina M, Jusino S, Lee M, Vel?zquez JV, Chard?n-Col?n C, Vargas G, Padmanabhan J, Chellappan SP, Saavedra HI. The Nek2 centrosome-mitotic kinase contributes to the mesenchymal state, cell invasion, and migration of triple-negative breast cancer cells. Sci Rep. 2021 04 27; 11(1):9016. PMID: 33907253.
      Citations: 16     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    6. Col?n-Marrero S, Jusino S, Rivera-Rivera Y, Saavedra HI. Mitotic kinases as drivers of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and as therapeutic targets against breast cancers. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2021 05; 246(9):1036-1044. PMID: 33601912.
      Citations: 6     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    7. Maan M, Agrawal NJ, Padmanabhan J, Leitzinger CC, Rivera-Rivera Y, Saavedra HI, Chellappan SP. Tank Binding Kinase 1 modulates spindle assembly checkpoint components to regulate mitosis in breast and lung cancer cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res. 2021 03; 1868(3):118929. PMID: 33310066.
      Citations: 5     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    8. Adon AM, Zeng X, Harrison MK, Sannem S, Kiyokawa H, Kaldis P, Saavedra HI. Correction for Adon et al., "Cdk2 and Cdk4 Regulate the Centrosome Cycle and Are Critical Mediators of Centrosome Amplification in p53-Null Cells". Mol Cell Biol. 2020 Nov 06; 40(23). PMID: 33159003.
      Citations:    Fields:    
    9. Jusino S, Saavedra HI. Role of E2Fs and mitotic regulators controlled by E2Fs in the epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2019 11; 244(16):1419-1429. PMID: 31575294.
      Citations: 11     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    10. King JL, Zhang B, Li Y, Li KP, Ni JJ, Saavedra HI, Dong JT. TTK promotes mesenchymal signaling via multiple mechanisms in triple negative breast cancer. Oncogenesis. 2018 Sep 12; 7(9):69. PMID: 30206215.
      Citations:    
    11. Jusino S, Fern?ndez-Pad?n FM, Saavedra HI. Centrosome aberrations and chromosome instability contribute to tumorigenesis and intra-tumor heterogeneity. J Cancer Metastasis Treat. 2018; 4. PMID: 30381801.
      Citations:    
    12. Lee M, Gudas LJ, Saavedra HI. Detection of E2F-DNA Complexes Using Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Assays. Methods Mol Biol. 2018; 1726:143-151. PMID: 29468550.
      Citations: 1     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    13. Lee M, Rivera-Rivera Y, Moreno CS, Saavedra HI. The E2F activators control multiple mitotic regulators and maintain genomic integrity through Sgo1 and BubR1. Oncotarget. 2017 Sep 29; 8(44):77649-77672. PMID: 29100415.
      Citations: 13     Fields:    
    14. Lee, M.Y., Rivera-Rivera, Y, Moreno, C.S., and Saavedra, HI. The E2F Activators Control Multiple Mitotic Regulators and Maintain Genomic Integrity through Sgo1 and BubR1. Oncotarget. 2017.
    15. Rivera-Rivera Y, Saavedra HI. Centrosome - a promising anti-cancer target. Biologics. 2016; 10:167-176. PMID: 28008224.
      Citations:    
    16. Lee M, Oprea-Ilies G, Saavedra HI. Silencing of E2F3 suppresses tumor growth of Her2+ breast cancer cells by restricting mitosis. Oncotarget. 2015 Nov 10; 6(35):37316-34. PMID: 26512919.
      Citations: 24     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    17. Ramachandiran S, Adon A, Guo X, Wang Y, Wang H, Chen Z, Kowalski J, Sunay UR, Young AN, Brown T, Mar JC, Du Y, Fu H, Mann KP, Natkunam Y, Boise LH, Saavedra HI, Lossos IS, Bernal-Mizrachi L. Chromosome instability in diffuse large B cell lymphomas is suppressed by activation of the noncanonical NF-?B pathway. Int J Cancer. 2015 May 15; 136(10):2341-51. PMID: 25359525.
      Citations: 9     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    18. Lee MY, Marina M, King JL, Saavedra HI. Differential expression of centrosome regulators in Her2+ breast cancer cells versus non-tumorigenic MCF10A cells. Cell Div. 2014; 9:3. PMID: 25278993.
      Citations:    
    19. Lee MY, Moreno CS, Saavedra HI. E2F activators signal and maintain centrosome amplification in breast cancer cells. Mol Cell Biol. 2014 Jul; 34(14):2581-99. PMID: 24797070.
      Citations: 37     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    20. Brown DI, Lass?gue B, Lee M, Zafari R, Long JS, Saavedra HI, Griendling KK. Poldip2 knockout results in perinatal lethality, reduced cellular growth and increased autophagy of mouse embryonic fibroblasts. PLoS One. 2014; 9(5):e96657. PMID: 24797518.
      Citations: 28     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    21. Marina M, Saavedra HI. Nek2 and Plk4: prognostic markers, drivers of breast tumorigenesis and drug resistance. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2014 01 01; 19(2):352-65. PMID: 24389189.
      Citations: 59     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    22. Hagen KR, Zeng X, Lee MY, Tucker Kahn S, Harrison Pitner MK, Zaky SS, Liu Y, O'Regan RM, Deng X, Saavedra HI. Silencing CDK4 radiosensitizes breast cancer cells by promoting apoptosis. Cell Div. 2013 Jul 25; 8(1):10. PMID: 23886499.
      Citations:    
    23. Harrison Pitner MK, Saavedra HI. Cdk4 and nek2 signal binucleation and centrosome amplification in a her2+ breast cancer model. PLoS One. 2013; 8(6):e65971. PMID: 23776583.
      Citations: 24     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    24. Harrison MK, Adon AM, Saavedra HI. The G1 phase Cdks regulate the centrosome cycle and mediate oncogene-dependent centrosome amplification. Cell Div. 2011 Jan 27; 6:2. PMID: 21272329.
      Citations:    
    25. Zeng X, Shaikh FY, Harrison MK, Adon AM, Trimboli AJ, Carroll KA, Sharma N, Timmers C, Chodosh LA, Leone G, Saavedra HI. The Ras oncogene signals centrosome amplification in mammary epithelial cells through cyclin D1/Cdk4 and Nek2. Oncogene. 2010 Sep 09; 29(36):5103-12. PMID: 20581865.
      Citations: 53     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    26. Adon AM, Zeng X, Harrison MK, Sannem S, Kiyokawa H, Kaldis P, Saavedra HI. Cdk2 and Cdk4 regulate the centrosome cycle and are critical mediators of centrosome amplification in p53-null cells. Mol Cell Biol. 2010 Feb; 30(3):694-710. PMID: 19933848.
      Citations: 52     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    27. Timmers C, Sharma N, Opavsky R, Maiti B, Wu L, Wu J, Orringer D, Trikha P, Saavedra HI, Leone G. E2f1, E2f2, and E2f3 control E2F target expression and cellular proliferation via a p53-dependent negative feedback loop. Mol Cell Biol. 2007 Jan; 27(1):65-78. PMID: 17167174.
      Citations: 56     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    28. Sharma N, Timmers C, Trikha P, Saavedra HI, Obery A, Leone G. Control of the p53-p21CIP1 Axis by E2f1, E2f2, and E2f3 is essential for G1/S progression and cellular transformation. J Biol Chem. 2006 Nov 24; 281(47):36124-31. PMID: 17008321.
      Citations: 40     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    29. Jiang Y, Saavedra HI, Holloway MP, Leone G, Altura RA. Aberrant regulation of survivin by the RB/E2F family of proteins. J Biol Chem. 2004 Sep 24; 279(39):40511-20. PMID: 15271987.
      Citations: 73     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    30. de Bruin A, Wu L, Saavedra HI, Wilson P, Yang Y, Rosol TJ, Weinstein M, Robinson ML, Leone G. Rb function in extraembryonic lineages suppresses apoptosis in the CNS of Rb-deficient mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 May 27; 100(11):6546-51. PMID: 12732721.
      Citations: 56     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    31. Saavedra HI, Maiti B, Timmers C, Altura R, Tokuyama Y, Fukasawa K, Leone G. Inactivation of E2F3 results in centrosome amplification. Cancer Cell. 2003 Apr; 3(4):333-46. PMID: 12726860.
      Citations: 33     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    32. Wu L, de Bruin A, Saavedra HI, Starovic M, Trimboli A, Yang Y, Opavska J, Wilson P, Thompson JC, Ostrowski MC, Rosol TJ, Woollett LA, Weinstein M, Cross JC, Robinson ML, Leone G. Extra-embryonic function of Rb is essential for embryonic development and viability. Nature. 2003 Feb 27; 421(6926):942-7. PMID: 12607001.
      Citations: 153     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    33. Saavedra HI, Wu L, de Bruin A, Timmers C, Rosol TJ, Weinstein M, Robinson ML, Leone G. Specificity of E2F1, E2F2, and E2F3 in mediating phenotypes induced by loss of Rb. Cell Growth Differ. 2002 May; 13(5):215-25. PMID: 12065245.
      Citations: 55     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    34. Wu L, Timmers C, Maiti B, Saavedra HI, Sang L, Chong GT, Nuckolls F, Giangrande P, Wright FA, Field SJ, Greenberg ME, Orkin S, Nevins JR, Robinson ML, Leone G. The E2F1-3 transcription factors are essential for cellular proliferation. Nature. 2001 Nov 22; 414(6862):457-62. PMID: 11719808.
      Citations: 268     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    35. Saavedra HI, Knauf JA, Shirokawa JM, Wang J, Ouyang B, Elisei R, Stambrook PJ, Fagin JA. The RAS oncogene induces genomic instability in thyroid PCCL3 cells via the MAPK pathway. Oncogene. 2000 Aug 10; 19(34):3948-54. PMID: 10951588.
      Citations: 58     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    36. Saavedra HI, Fukasawa K, Conn CW, Stambrook PJ. MAPK mediates RAS-induced chromosome instability. J Biol Chem. 1999 Dec 31; 274(53):38083-90. PMID: 10608877.
      Citations: 43     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
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